New York to Shorten Common Core Assessments Again

According to an article in the New York Times, the state of New York will shorten its Common Core-aligned assessments for third through eighth graders this year. Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia announced the change at a Board of Regents meeting on Wednesday.

Elia said that the assessments given next spring would include fewer multiple-choice math questions and fewer passages in the reading section. This is the second time New York’s tests have been shortened since they were introduced in 2013.

In 2015, only 31 percent of the state’s students passed the reading tests, and 38 percent passed the math exams. Statewide, 20 percent of eligible children opted out of the exams this past spring.

In response to these statistics, the state has announced two separate reviews to evaluate the tests and standards. Elia is leading a review that was mandated by lawmakers, and Governor Andrew Cuomo has ordered another review.

The state Education Department has already parted ways with test provider Pearson and replaced it with Questar Assessment, a smaller company based in Minneapolis.